'Tag' fights cancer, shares hope

On Saturday, May 18, the Tag Time Trial will remember Philo "Tag" Budlong and raise funds to fight cancer with the LiveSTRONG Foundation.

In the several Trials in recent years, hundreds of people have participated in the spring and fall bike rides.

The Kinross event honors DeTour native "Tag" — a World War II POW and cycling enthusiast that lost his battle with cancer.

Riders will donate $15 ($20 includes a TTT T-shirt) for the privilege of riding in Tag's memory and all the funds collected will be given to LiveSTRONG.

Dave Bourgeault, of Pro Sports, invented the "Tag" Time Trial, that's open to all bike riders. The 12.7-mile road course starts on South Kinross Lake Road, heads into Rudyard, brings Mackinac Trail back to M-80 and ends back on South Kinross Lake Road. Each participant rides against the clock and not against other bikers.

The Great Lakes Electric parking lot on S. Kinross Lake Road will be the staging area for the event. Riders will begin in a yellow and black starting ramp.

The "Tag" Time Trial begins at 9 a.m. Riders will leave the starting ramp one minute apart as each person races against the clock. Riders' time will be recorded and medals will be awarded to the top three riders in each category.

The Individual Time Trial riders will race first against the clock. Cyclists can also join a 3-Rider Team Time Trial, where riders work together to see how fast they can cover the course.

Every rider will receive a "Tag" Time Trial certificate and several items from event sponsors.

All riders are invited to participate in this fund raising event. Non-riders are encouraged to volunteer as "Tag" Time Trial staff to support the riders. Roadside Tag signs will direct the riders around the course. Volunteers will man various corners of the route to protect riders from oncoming traffic and to encourage all the cyclists.